If you're in New York, here's a cool theater performance to check out next week... Direct Arts in conjunction with The Performance Project @ University Settlement presents a workshop production of Paper Angels by Genny Lim, Wednesday, April 29 through Saturday, May 2 -- just four performances. Here are some details:
Paper Angels by Genny LimSet in 1915, the play explores America's historic ambivalence over immigration through a group of Chinese detainees on Angel Island, the Ellis Island of the West Coast. From 1882 to 1943, the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited the Chinese from immigrating to America. They remain the only ethnic group ever to have specifically been banned against coming to the United States.
The seminal play about the Chinese Exclusion Act
Exclusive Engagement
Opens April 29, 2009 for 4 nights only
DATE:
Wednesday, April 29th through Saturday, May 2nd
Special Post-Show Discussion on Friday, April 30th with Peter Kwong, author of Chinese America: The Untold Story of America's Oldest New Community.
SHOW TIMES:
Wednesday through Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 3:00PM
LOCATION:
Speyer Hall at University Settlement
184 Eldridge Street, bet. Rivington and Delancey
TICKETS:
$18 adult, $15 student/senior
WEBSITE:
www.directarts.org
Paper Angels was last seen on the New York City stage in 1982 at the New Federal Theatre. Over two decades later, this new production will incorporate archival footage of Angel Island, a 2-piece traditional Chinese music ensemble, Chinese Opera, and an ensemble of 12 multi-ethnic actors.
The cast includes Louis Changchien, Robert Fitzsimmons, Jojo Gonzalez, Wai Ching Ho, Kerry Huang, Ryan King, Victoria Linchong, Doan Ly and Amy Staats. On April 30th, there will be a post-show discussion Peter Kwong, author of Chinese America: The Untold Story of America's Oldest New Community.
Sounds pretty cool, right? And damn, get a load of that postcard art for the show. It's from an actual California laundry detergent ad, circa 1870. This is going to be a really cool production. To learn more about Paper Angels, go to the Direct Arts website here. And to purchase tickets, go here.